[eklipse]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/h...ml/default.stm

A recent report by a group of 20 aid agencies has drawn public attention to one of the little reported aspects of the continuing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians – checkpoints and roadblocks in the West Bank and Gaza.

The report said these travel restrictions – some of them in place since the beginning of the intifada in 2000 - limit Palestinians' access to schools and medical care, increase frustration and destroy hopes for peace.

....

"I think the Israelis do this because they want to make us feel like foreigners in our own land. They just want us to leave,"

....

Israel says that any Palestinian suffering from a genuine medical emergency is allowed to cross checkpoints in order to get to hospital.

But many Palestinians live in fear of an unforeseen health crisis – particularly at night or when they are somewhere far from medical attention – which would mean that they would have to travel through a number of checkpoints to get to hospital.

According to the Israeli human rights group B'tselem, there have been at least 38 cases since September 2000 of Palestinians who have died after medical care was delayed as a result of Israeli restrictions of movement.

...

Azriel Pinsky lives with his wife and three children in the Israeli settlement of Psagot.....He carries a gun when he drives. "The checkpoints don't make me feel safe. We know they don't work," he told BBC News Online, pointing out that although checkpoints reduce the number of militants who get through, suicide attacks still happen. "The situation is definitely creating resentment, on both sides," he said.

If these 'security measures' are creating resentment from both the people they are being inflicted upon and the people they are intended to protect - who the hell are they benefiting? - and who the hell's agenda do they serve?

[petehammer]

Just getting it out of the way:

Anti-semite.

[lil'babykitten]

It is a rather self-defeating policy!
The Israelis don't like it and the Palestinians of course, don't like it. The supposed reason the checkpoints are there is to stop terrorists from entering, which has failed since they still manage to get through. Anyone see a point to this policy? hands up....no? I didn't think so.

What it does do is exacerbate tensions and result in more animosity between the two sides-as if we didn't have enough of that already.

It's disgusting, to hear that Palestinians in genuine need of medical help have to die because of a system in place that serves no purpose. As if they haven't suffered enough all ready.

I guess I shouldn't be too surprised at such policy though....it's not the first time Sharon has done something stupid.